06-10-2005, 01:16 PM
[font "Arial"]1 (6 to 7 pound) whole salmon, gutted and scaled
Sea Salt
1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 small bunch copper fennel fronds or
substitute regular fennel fronds
10 sprigs fresh thyme
Olive Oil, as needed
All-purpose flour, as needed
Fire up the grill, with the coals lined up under the fish for direct
grilling.
Sprinkle sea salt generously in the cavity of the fish and over the skin,
then stuff it with the onions, lemons, fronds and herb sprigs. Tie butcher
string around the fish in 3 or 4 places to hold the stuffing in. In between
the string, make deep incisions with your knife through the thickest part
of the fish on both sides, all the way down to the spine (the fish will
cook more quickly, and the smoke flavor will get inside the fish better).
Brush both the fish and the grill lightly with oil, dust the salmon skin on
each side lightly with flour, and place the salmon on the grill.
Grill over medium-hot direct heat, with the cover on and the vents open.
When the skin is browned on 1 side, use 2 large metal spatulas to loosen
the salmon from the grate and carefully turn over. Continue cooking until
just cooked through and an instant read thermometer inserted in the
thickest part of the fish registers 135 degrees F to 140 degrees F, about
35 to 40 minutes total cooking time. Remove the fish from the grill and
place it on a large platter. Allow the fish to cool for 5 minutes, then
remove the butcher string and serve.
Serves about 6.[/font]
Sea Salt
1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 small bunch copper fennel fronds or
substitute regular fennel fronds
10 sprigs fresh thyme
Olive Oil, as needed
All-purpose flour, as needed
Fire up the grill, with the coals lined up under the fish for direct
grilling.
Sprinkle sea salt generously in the cavity of the fish and over the skin,
then stuff it with the onions, lemons, fronds and herb sprigs. Tie butcher
string around the fish in 3 or 4 places to hold the stuffing in. In between
the string, make deep incisions with your knife through the thickest part
of the fish on both sides, all the way down to the spine (the fish will
cook more quickly, and the smoke flavor will get inside the fish better).
Brush both the fish and the grill lightly with oil, dust the salmon skin on
each side lightly with flour, and place the salmon on the grill.
Grill over medium-hot direct heat, with the cover on and the vents open.
When the skin is browned on 1 side, use 2 large metal spatulas to loosen
the salmon from the grate and carefully turn over. Continue cooking until
just cooked through and an instant read thermometer inserted in the
thickest part of the fish registers 135 degrees F to 140 degrees F, about
35 to 40 minutes total cooking time. Remove the fish from the grill and
place it on a large platter. Allow the fish to cool for 5 minutes, then
remove the butcher string and serve.
Serves about 6.[/font]